Safety razor



. Aug. 15, 1939. w, WENNMANN 2,169,574

SAFETY RAZOR Filed Dec. 4, 1936 INVENTOR William Werznmarm BY'a E.

' ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 sm-r: nazon William Wennmann, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application December 4, 1936, Serial No. 114,162 6 Claims. (01. 30-48) This invention relates to safety razors in general, and particularly to the type adapted for use with thin double-edged blades,

The prime objects of this invention are to produce a safety razor possessing improved qualities as to shaving, safety in use, and other advantages, while at the same time combining simplicity, ease of manufacture, and inexpensiveness.

' Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an arrangement whereby a thin, flex ible double-edged blade is caused to assume certain curvatures at its cutting edges simulating the twisted blades of a lawn-mower.

5 Another important object of this invention is to provide in a safety razor of this kind a cap which projects prominently over the blade surface, whereby the parts to be shaved are brought into a more favorable position in respect to the cutting edge, somewhat simulating the process of the barber shaping the skin for shaving with a straight-edged razor.

A further object of this invention is to provide upon the cap surface suitable means for counteracting adhesion of the razor to the skin.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a safety razor safety means at the edges of the razor, for covering the end edges of a razor blade so as to prevent the latter from uninten- 0 tionally injuring the surface to be shaved.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in the guard of such razor, substantial guide means for assuring the proper cooperation between the guard, the cap and the razor blade i5 clamped between these two instrumentalities.

The foregoing and still further objects and other advantages of this invention will become more fully apparent from the ensuing description and the accompanying drawing, which latter,

l0 although illustrating the major points of this invention, are not intended to limit the same to the actual showing, and in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical drawing illustrating the flexing and curving of the blade held between the guard and the cap of the present construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my device in its presently preferred form;

50 Fig. 3 is an end elevation of my device;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section through the guard; and

55 Fig. 6 is a plan view of a typical form of a blade as used in the safety razor illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 1, numeral l0 denotes a cylinder over which is placed a blade disposed diagonally to the longitudinal axis of 5 the cylinder, and which blade is flexed over the cylinder so that its curvature is substantially that of the cylinder. This blade is indicated at H, in its different positions. The same blade is illustrated at the lower part of Fig. 1, in its end 10 and side views in which it appears when held between guard and cap. s

From the middle part of this figure it will be readily conceivable that an imaginary diagonal cross section through cylinder I0, taken at right angles to the longitudinal center axis of blade II, or diagonally to the center axis of the cylinder, will correspond to the curvature of an ellip-se l2, indicated in broken lines at the lowermost part of Fig. 1, wherein the difference between major and minor axis of the ellipse is very small. The cutting edges of the blade are disposed at angles X to an imaginary horizontal plane 13, passing through the lowermost, diagonally opposite tips of the blades cutting edges, as illustrated at the right hand lower portion of Fig. 1. This fiexing has a great advantage in that when the edges of the blade are brought into clutting position, the blade, so to speak, slices the hair in diagonal direction from one of its ends to the other end, and that the blade ,actuallly does not engage the hair on a straight line, but in a manner similar to that of a rotary grass cutter. As a matter of fact, the blade is intended to be rocked as it is moved over the surface 'to be shaved. The incline or angle a: of the edges of the blade ranges from 9 to 15 degrees. The device may be manufactured in different styles, wherein the incline of the blade ranges within the limits between 9 and 15, so 40 that the prospective user may find a design most suitable to his particular condition of hair. I have found that an incline of 12 degrees will suit most conditions.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the rolling or rocking shaving operation will be more clearly understood by observing the end view of the de-x vice shown in Fig. 3, in which it is plainly seen that cap ll, which is substantially cylindrically shaped, extends relatively high above, the blade and forces the user of the blade to roll the razor against the skin inorder to permit cutting contact of the blade with the beard. This contact is gradual from one end of the blade to the other at each stroke and rolling operation of the razor. v

The unusual height of the cap can be clearly seen from the cross-section shown in Fig. 4.

Guard ll of the razorcooperates with cap ll, in that the interior or adjacent faces of these two members correspond in shape to that of the blade shown in Fig. 1, that is, the interior surfaces of these members are so shaped as to combine a transverse curvature with a longitudinal twist. When a blade is inserted between these two faces and clamped tight, the blade assumes the same form. In orderto facilitate the proper clamping. of the blade between the two members, cap I is provided with guide pins i6 and a central threaded pin J1, all of which pins are disposed in a vertical center plane, indicated at C in Fig. 3, and are parallel to one another. Threaded pin I1 is adapted to be engaged by the internally threaded end of handle II. Guide pins l6 and central pin I! pass through suitable, generously dimensioned guides l9 and 20, respectively, provided in the guard member, in order to assure a perfect cooperation betweenthe interior faces of the cap and guard members, thus assuring retention of the intended shape imparted to the flexible blade, while the latter is forcibly held between these two members.

Attention is called'to the arrangement of, and the relation between the outer and inner surfaces of cap ll. While the outer cap surfaces is truly cylindrically shaped, as seen from Fig. 3, and prominently extends above its interior, blade-clamping surface, the latter is more complex in its form. This interior cap surface corresponds in shape to an outer surface portion of cylinder I0, which is seen covered by blade II in the middle partof Fig. 1. It substantially resembles a rectangle, located diagonally, but symmetrically to the center axis of the cylinder, and is formed by cross secting cylinder in diagonally and symmetrically to its longitudinal center axis by two pairs of spaced, parallel planes. One pair of planes coincides with the short ends of blade II, the other pair runs along thelong sides or cutting edges of the latter. Both pairs of the planes are perpendicular to the horizontal center plane of cylinder l0.

Furthermore, the vertical center plane C in Fig. 3, which passes through the longitudinal center line of cap ll, cross sects the latter along its thickest and highest body. portion, as shown in Fig. 4, and coincides with the longitudinal center line of the inner cap surface, and, .consequently with the longitudinal center line of blade i i, which latter center line is disposed diagonally relative to the longitudinal center axis of cylinder l0, as will be observed from the middle part of Fig. 1.

Due to the aforesaid arrangement of parts, the short ends of the blade, when the latter is clamped between the guard and the cap; will be parallel relative to each other, and at right angles to vertical center plane C, as will be evident from consulting Figures 1, 2 and 3, while its cutting edges or long sides, shown in the left-hand lower part of Fig. 1, will be disposed in two parallel planes, which planes are also parallel with vertical center plane C.

Due to the large contacting surface of the cap member, it is necessary to provide therein means for breaking a suctional adhesion between this member and the skin, for which reason there are provided diagonally arranged serrations 2| at both sides of the longitudinal center plane passing through the device, said serrations being largest at the widest portion of the cap surface and gradually diminishing in size towards-the smaller exposed portions, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, so as to leave a median longitudinal. smooth, central area, and wherein the direction of the serrations at one side is opposite to the direction of the serrations at the other side, in consequence of the symmetrically opposite arrangement of the sides.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of end safety guards for preventing unintentional or injurious contact of the end edges or comers of the blade with the skin, for which purpose there are provided lips 22 and 23. extending either from the ends of the cap member or from the ends of the guard or from both, and which end lips are intended to cover either the entire ends or certain portions of the ends of the blade.v In Fig. '5 these end guards are shown forming integral extensions of guard member I5, for the purpose of illustrating the principle of the arrangement. It is evident, however, that these end guards may form integral parts of the cap, or may be so arranged that one of the lips, such as end guard 23, may form a part of the cap, whereas the equivalent of end guards 22 may form a part of guard member l5. Inasmuch as such arrangement is obvious, no special illustrations-are made of these possible modifications.

In Fig. 6, illustrating a typical form of a blade,

the latter is provided with three apertures for receiving guide pins l6 and a central threaded guard and cap connecting pin H, to which handle i8 is secured, and whereby the cap and guard members are connected with one another. The

- blade as shown in Fig. 6 is provided with short bers of the razor, in a manner corresponding to the curvature and flexing obtained when a blade is placed diagonally over a portion of a cylinder, such as provided at the upper face of the guard, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and wherein the diameter of the cylinder,' upon which the curvature of the blade depends, is substantially greater than the diameter of the cylinder, indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3, denoting the curvature of cap it, which latter prominently extends above the guard member, as seen in Fig. 3. Due to this particular curving of the cap, and, due to the flexing of the blade diagonally about a cylindrical formation the shaving advantages are superior in my device over those of any similar devices. Other advantages, such as the disposition of pins ifi'and central threaded pin l1, relative to one another and relative to the body of the razor, as well as the generously designed guide means for these pins, of which the central guide means are longer than the outer guide means, and the and safety guards 22 and 23, present considerable improvements over existing mechanisms. The general arrangement of the device permits simple, accurate and inexpensive manufacture, thus rendering quantity production of the article not only feasible, but highly advantageous.

While I have shown specific forms of my device in the drawing, it is obvious that changes andimprovements may be brought about without departing from the broad scope of my invention,

as defined in the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In a razor holder for double-edged blades, guard and cap' members, the adjacent or interior faces of which members have a curvature substantially corresponding to a rectangularly shaped surface portion of a cylinder, disposed diagonally and symmetrically to the longitudinal center axis of the cylinder, the latter having a certain diameter, and wherein the outer face of the cap member prominently extends above its interior face, and its outer surface substantially corresponds to the curvature of a cylinder of lesser diameter, said cap member being provided with guide pins and a central threaded pin, all arranged parallel to one another and disposed in a vertical center plane passing longitudinally through the thickest and highest body portion of said cap member, a plurality of diagonally located serrations, directed in opposite directions at the sides of the outer surface of said cap member, leaving the highest or middle portion thereof smooth, both members being adaptedto hold between their adjacent faces a flexible blade and to cause it to assume the curvatures of their interior faces, while the short ends of the blade are kept parallel to one another and at right angles to the vertical center plane, whereas its cutting edges are parallel with the latter, and means, formed at the ends of said members, for guarding the ends of a blade, held between them. I

2. In a safety razor, the combination with a double-edged blade, of guard and cap members holding theblade flexed and clamped between them, so that the short ends of the blade are parallel with one another, and at right angles to the vertical center plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the cap member, said. blade extending to the parallel end edges of these members, the interior or adjacent faces of said -members and of the blade therebetween having the curvature of a diagonally cut cylindrical portion of a certain diameter, the outer surface of said cap member prominently extending above said guard member and substantially corresponding to a diagonally cut cylindrical portion of a lesser diameter and being provided with a plurality of diagonally arranged, oppositely directed serrations at both sides of said member, while the top portion thereof is smooth, the top portion" forming the highest and thickest part of the cap member, disposed along the vertical center plane of the latter, and serves for forcing the user to roll the razor while shaving. a plurality of guide means, and guard and cap member connecting means, extending from the interior face of said cap member in the direction of a vertical plane passing longitudinally through said cap member, and guard means arranged at the allel with one another, and at right angles to the ends'of said members for covering the ends of the blade.

3. In a safety razor, according to claim 2, and wherein said guard means form integral-parts of said guard member. 5

4. In a safety razor, according to claim 2, and wherein said guard means constitute at each aid of the guard member a pair of lips which e!- tend over portions of said cap member.

5. In a safety razor, guard and cap members, a double-edged blade held forcibly therebetween, the interior or adjacent faces of said members substantially corresponding to the curvature of a diagonally cut surface portion of a cylinder of a certain diameter, said cap member projecting prominently above said guard member and its outer surface having substantially the curvature of a cylinder of lesser diameter than that of its interior face, a pair of end pins and a threaded central pin extending from the interior face of go said cap member, short end guides and a longer central guide projecting from the outer or lower surface of said guard member, said guides adapted to accommodate said pins, the latter being ar-' ranged parallel to one another and in the vertical center plane passing longitudinally through the razor, a plurality of graduated serrations provided at the outer surface ,of said cap member, and razor-end covering means at the ends of said guard and cap members. so

6. In a safety razor, the combination with a double-edged blade, of guard and cap members holding the blade flexed and clamped between them, so that the short ends of the blade are parvertical center plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the cap member, said blade extending to the parallel end edges of these members, the interior or adjacent faces of said members and of the blade therebetween having Q the curvature of a diagonally cut cylindrical portion of a certain diameter, the outer surface of said cap memberv prominently extending above said guard member and substantially corresponding to a diagonally cut cylindrical portion of a lesser diameter and being provided with a plurality of diagonally arranged oppositely directed serrations at both sides of said member, while the top portion thereof is smooth, the top portion forming the highest and thickest part of u the cap member, disposed along the vertical center plane of the latter, and serves for forcing the user to roll the razor while shaving, a pluraland connecting means, respectively.

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